Tourists, City workers and curious locals are donating up to £1,000 a day to
the Occupy London protest camp while its neighbour St Paul's Cathedral has
suffered a drop in revenue.

Well-heeled visitors mingle with suited bankers in the camp's information tent, where wads of up to £100 in cash are handed over to the organisers in support. A bank account set up to receive donations online is also expected to generate considerable resources.

But as the camp's finances flourish, the cathedral's hitherto profitable gift shop and restaurant have suffered a drop in trade, at an estimated loss of several thousand pounds a day.

Visitor numbers were down by "a few hundred" in the first three days of this week compared with the same period of last year, representing a loss of up to £7,500.

The lucrative restaurant, where diners can enjoy a three-course lunch for £25.95, has been closed for two weeks. The cathedral was forced to close its doors for six days last month, at an estimated loss of £120,000, before re-opening a week ago.

The former dean, the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles, who resigned earlier this week over the way the situation had been handled, said it cost £20,000 a day to run the cathedral, of which 80 per cent was generated by the £14.50 entry price.

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But while the crowds might not be flocking inside Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, they are certainly flocking to its steps, where interest in the protest camp is only growing.

A member of the finance team who did not want to be identified, said: "We are getting between £500 and £1,000 a day, noticeably more at weekends when it's really busy and a lot of tourists are around.

"They tend to be older people, or those who can't camp, who say, 'we can't be here but you're doing an excellent job so keep up the good work'.

"We are in the process of setting up our own bank account too but at the moment are taking donations through the London Climate Camp site. We don't yet know how much has come in through that. We could be sitting on thousands."

He acknowledged that the camp's income was far exceeding its expenditure, which so far has been spent on basic food rations, batteries, leaflets and lighting.

But they are planning to discuss larger projects such as solar-powered panels to produce energy and heat as well as heavy duty structures that could see them through the winter.

Others are donating goods such as paper for printing services and camping equipment. Paul, the bakers, has been donating unsold bread at the end of the day.

"We are currently surviving on fairly low levels," the finance spokesman added. "But half of one banker's bonus would keep us all going for a year.

"We are trying to be as transparent as possible with the donations. Most people don't have the faintest idea what's going on with their money and would be horrified if they did."

Stuart Benson, who said he worked in the City, handed organisers £40. He said: "I may represent everything they despise but I admire their resolve and I hope they achieve whatever they want to achieve."

Organisers last night put out a call for social workers and counsellors who may be able to help with some of the more vulnerable members of society that the camp has attracted.

A spokesman said: "We are going to set up a welfare tent but we do need help with dealing with these people. We are an imperfect microcosm of society and there are people with drug, alcohol and mental health issues who may need help."